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A 



SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN 

FOR COUNTRY HOMES. 
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOE EVERY LADY. 

Mow to Start It. — What It will Cost. — How to Stock, It 
to have Flowers the Year Round. 

\ BY 

CHARLES BARNARD, 

Author of " My Ten-Rod Farm" "Farming by Inches,^' " The Soprano," etc. 




319 WASHiNGTOisr Street, 
BOSTON. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, Ly 
A. K. LORING, 
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. 



Rockwell & Chckcqill, 
Printers and S t e r e o t y pors , 
122 Washington St., Boston. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



CHAPTER I. 

APKIL. 

" Frank, my dear, it is six months to-day since we were 
married, and five months since we came to live in this cosey 
little cottage. We have passed a delightful winter, and, 
now that the spring has come, I wish to carry out my pet 
project, — start a flower garden." 

' ' Where, pray ? ' The lawn and the brick walk from the 
front door to the gate occupy all the available space we 
have?" 

"Yes, but can we not have two narrow borders cut out 
on either side of the walk, and therein plant and tend our 
flowers?" 

" To be sure. Nothing could be more simple or easy. 
Let us go and look at it before I start for town." 

These two young people, Frank and Gertrude, stepped 
from their cottage door into the soft, April morning air, and 
proceeded to inspect the little fifty-foot lawn before the 
house. 



4 



A SIMPLE FLOV/ER GAUDEN. 



"You see, Frank, nothing prevents our having such a 
little garden, if we choose to take the trouble or spend the 
small sum that it will cost. It will be a great pleasure to 
me, when jou are away in town, to be able to have some- 
thing to attend to besides tliat perpetual sewing-machine 
and tiresome cook. Gardening will be a cheerful, attrac- 
tive employment, and a sanitary measure, at the same time." 

' ' I appreciate all that ; — but the cost and trouble of the 
thing? We must consider these. In the first place, we 
city-bred people know nothing about gardening. If we did, 
who is to do the work ? I cannot. Business forbids. Then 
there is the expense. We can hardly afford to hire a 
gardener at present." 

" Could I not attempt it myself? " 

"Perhaps you might make the attempt; yet when the. 
weeds appear, insects gather, and the long hot days of 
August arrive, I fear the garden would prove a costly 
trouble, with a few flowers and much vexation for the 
final result, — a thing to be abandoned as not worth the 
labor." 

' ' All that may be true ; but let me tell you of a late 
experience. As I was walking up from the station yester- 
day I passed Aunt Louisa's mite of a cottage. Seeing her 
seated at the window among her lovely flowering plants, I 
stepped in for a call. While there the conversation turned 
to house and garden plants. Aware of her wonderful suc- 
cess in her scrap of a garden, and having those splendid 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



5 



pot-plants before mj ejes, I asked if she employed a gar- 
dener. 

' I am my own gardener,' said she. 

' ' ' Really ! ' I replied. ' Do you plant and tend every- 
thing yourself, without assistance ? ' 

" ' Almost. I hire a lad for a while in the spring and fall. 
He does the heavy digging and other rough work. The 
rest I do with my own hands.' 

" ' But is it not very hard work, and is not your garden a 
costly thing to maintain ? ' . 

' Neither ; I am not the person to spend much money 
upon such an affair. I cannot afford it. As for the work, 
I think I rather enjoy it.' 

" These things surprisexl me greatly, and I pursued the 
subject still farther. The upshot of the matter is. Aunt 
Louisa has promised to call here once or twice a month and 
show us what to do and how to do it. The cost of such a 
garden as I want, she tells me, will not be great." 

" Well, Gertrude, as a prospective gardener you are a 
success. The garden shall be yours; only you must bear 
this in mind, — when the garden is once well started, you, 
and you alone, must attend to it. I have not the time, and 
our income does not admit of even a small boy, except for 
a day or so in the spring and fall." 

" Delightful ! I am not afraid to try. Now let's to 
business, I must read up at once. Bring from the city 
the best books upon gardening to be found." 



6 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Books are well enough ; but not upon them alone must 
you rely. Aunt Louisa must be your guide and teacher in 
this venture. Then, too, we must keep our eyes open, and 
observe carefully everything of interest in other people's 
gardens. We can learn a deal by mere inspection. There 
is Squire Bent's place, with its fanciful borders cut out in 
the wide lawn before the dwelling-house. He keeps a 
gardener. From the garden, and perhaps from the man 
himself, we can gather much information. There is Far- 
mer Brown's roomy mansion just up the road. Only a 
few simple flowers hide under the scraggy lilac-bushes in the 
front yard; but even there something may be learned. 
Lastly, there stands Lawyer Wilson's desolate house, with 
neither lawn nor garden. There we can see what a mis- 
take it is to have one's home surrounded by so much barren- 
ness and rural wretchedness." 

" Yes, and would it not be a good idea to make notes of 
all we learn ? They would not only be useful to ourselves, 
but might one day serve to aid some rural house-keeper, who 
wants a flower garden, and has no Aunt Louisa to help 
her." 

' ' Agreed. Who knows but it may in time rise to the 
dignity of print? " 

So it was that this garden came to be established, and 
these notes expanded into this little book. 

Here follow the notes as made up from the books, keen 
observations of sundry real gardens. Aunt Louisa's directions, 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



7 



and Gertrude's own experience as an amateur joung ladj 
gardener. All reference to the doings and sayings of 
these people must now be condensed into a bare statement 
of what is to be done upon such a mere handkerchief 
garden as here described. To fully understand this mat- 
ter, it must be kept in mind that the entire garden was 
comprised in two narrow beds or borders, each fifty feet 
long by three wide, — in all three hundred square feet, 
more or less. 

SOIL. 

By this is meant the loose material that covers the sur- 
face of the earth and in which plants grow. In this garden, 
it was of ^hat dark-brown cotor and open texture peculiar 
to the loam that covers the best of our New England farms. 
Some soils are better adapted to the growth of plants than 
others. Some are not capable of sustaining any kind of 
vegetable life. These are to be avoided. In distinguishing 
the good from the bad, we have one simple guide. Any 
soil in which our native weeds grow freely is suitable for 
the culture of flowers. Where the potato and cabbage will 
thrive, there the tea-rose and heliotrope may be cultivated 
with success. A certain depth is also necessary. The 
brownish surface soil must be at least twelve inches deep. 
If more, so much the better. Any soil, therefore, that 
answers these requirements, and is not too wet, will serve for 
a flower garden. This objectionable feature, dampness, may 
be remedied by 



8 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



DRAINAGE. 

Any spot of ground where the water, from melting snow 
or spring rains, lingers on the surface far into April, is too 
wet for a garden, and must be drained. Any spot where 
the water even lingers just under the surface for some 
time after it has disappeared from the sight is also unsuit- 
able. To ascertain this, dig a small hole three feet deep. 
If water gathers in it during April, or after a rain-storm, 
drainage must be resorted to before planting. No plant, 
nor animal, can live in health, with its feet continually wet. 
A water-soaked garden will bring death to the flowers, and 
consumption to the gardener, in one short season. 

now TO DO IT 

is a very perplexing question. Every garden has some 
peculiarity that must be taken into account in preparing for 
proper drainage. In a very small garden a few holes about 
the size of a flour-barrel, and well filled with loose stones, 
over which brush and the surface soil are spread, will an- 
swer the purpose. Still better, have a trench, at least three 
feet deep, made, so arranged that one end is lower than the 
other, and placed so that the water can escape. Fill it one- 
third full of stones. Over these place the soil. In the 
garden described, the barrel-holes answered every purpose. 
Should these not carry away the water, consult an expert, 
and have this most important work done properly. In this 
whole matter, it must be kept in mind, that while all gar- 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



9 



dens do not actually need drainage, yet all are benefited by- 
it. The why and wherefore cannot now be explained in 
detail. The principal advantage results from the increased 
power that the soil acquires of receiving heat of the sun. 
Undrained soil is much later in the spring in absorbing that 
degree of warmth necessary for successful plant life. 

MANUFACTURED SOILS. 

It often happens that the spot of ground is deficient in the 
materials of a good soil. The house may have been placed 
upon a sand-bank, or some other barren site. If it is de- 
sired to have a flower garden upon such a spot, the loam, 
sand, and other materials must be procured from some other 
spot, and spread over the place to the depth of, at least, 
eighteen inches. Good common soil from a wheat or potato 
field, mingled with one-fourth its bulk of fine sand, will 
make a mixture suitable for such a garden. To this must 
afterwards be added barn manure and other fertilizers, to 
which reference is made further on. The cost of such a pre- 
pared and manufactured garden will not exceed, in the 
neighborhood of great cities, two dollars per square of six 
feet. 

BORDERS. 

By this is meant the prepared beds or spaces in which 
the plants are to grow. They may be of any size or shape. 
The best method of laying out will be discussed farther on. 
At present we have to do with the two narrow borders on 



10 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



either side of the walk before described, — each fifty feet 
long and three wide. All the directions, lists of plants, 
etc., in this work have reference to these two borders. 

TO PREPARE THE BORDERS. 

A man must be employed to cut out the sod, shake out 
and remove the turf, and fork up the soil. This will take 
one day, and cost the sum of two dollars. The turf and 
other refuse must not be thrown away, but carefully piled 
in a heap for compost. 

MANURE 

is next in order. No soil will long maintain vegetation 
successfully unless enriched by the addition of some fertili- 
zer. The product of the barn or stable is perhaps the best 
material for this purpose. It should be well decomposed 
and broken up fine. To accomplish the first, let it be piled 
in heaps for several months, and repeated turning of the 
mass will do the rest. When it is known that all plants 
take up their food dissolved in water, and cannot admit 
into their pores the smallest visible particle of solid food, 
the importance of having the plant-food finely pulverized 
will be plain. The action of the soil upon the manure will 
do this in time, but the process is hastened by the chem- 
istry of decay and the mechanics of breaking and dividing. 

There are other materials used for the enriching of the 
soil, such as marl, guano, and the various manufactured 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



11 



fertilizers. All of them are more or less useful, but for a 
simple country garden like this, the barn will furnish all 
we need. One-half a cord of manure is the least that will 
be needed, and this having been spread over the surface of 
the borders, and one-half barrel of lime having been scat- 
tered among it, the whole must be dug under the surface 
with a digging-fork. The expense will be, for manure 
four dollars ; lime, one dollar ; labor, one dollar : total, six 
dollars. 

THE EARTH CLOSETS 

recently introduced will save a portion of this expense. 
By their use, a dry, clean, inodorous, and very valuable 
manure is produced, at a low cost. When it is known that 
every creature that walks the earth returns to it each year 
sufficient material to reproduce from the ground enough 
food to sustain its life for that year, it will be plain that 
every family, by the use of earth closets, or similar appa- 
ratus, could have enough fertilizing material to maintain a 
garden twenty times as large as the one under considera- 
tion. The cost of manure cannot, therefore, be a bar to 
having a flower or kitchen garden. 

TOOLS 

are essential in every garden, however small. The follow- 
ing are all that will be needed : — 

Tin watering-pot, $1 00 - 

A four-pronged digging-fork, . , . , 2 00 
Shuffle hoe, 1 00 



12 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 







30 


Oilictll gdlLltrU oj/XiXl^Cj • • • • 


A 

t 


no 


Iron rakG with line teeth, .... 


1 


50 




1 


50 




1 


00 


Watering-pot with movable rose, or sprinkler, 


1 


00 


Ball of twine (shoemaker's linen), 




12 


Bundle of long stakes (laths sawn in two), 




50 


Lot of old newspapers. 








$13 


92 



STOCK. 

The various flowering plants now used by the florists are 
divided into hardy and tender shrubs, seedling, bedding, 
green-house, and herbaceous plants, and are called by the 
general name of stock. Each of these kinds may be still 
farther divided, and the whole are included in two general 
classes : the soft-wooded and the hard-wooded plants. 
The first includes those rapid growing plants whose stems 
never attain that stiff, riarid form that characterizes our 
forest trees. To this class belong the geranium, aster, and 
spirea. The hard-wooded plants grow slowly, and their 
stems in time stiffen and become solid w^ood, which retains 
its shape during the life of the plant. To this class belong 
the azalia, orange, and heath. The importance of the dis- 
tinction will be made plain when we come to treat of soils 
for pot plants. 

SHRUBS 

are divided into two classes : Lardy and tender. The 



V 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



13 



hardy shrubs are those which in our climate survive the 
winter, and live for two or more years. It is impossible to 
give full lists of them all. Only those used in our gar- 
den, or planted in the lawn, are here mentioned. These 
kinds are all small, and bear flowers suitable for cutting. 

Deutzia gracelis. . Wisteria, vine. 

Spirea reevsi flore pleno. Honeysuckle, vine. 
Wigelia rosea or alba. Hardy Azalia. 

TO PLANT SHRUBS^ 

prepare holes at least two feet across, and from twelve to 
eighteen inches deep. Make the bottom of the hole slightly 
higher in the centre than at the sides. Select small plants 
that are of a good shape, that is, having an equal number of 
branches on every side, and, having cut off the ends of the 
roots that have become bruised by transportation, set the 
plant upright upon the mound in the hole. When in this 
position, the crown, or top, of the roots must be upon a level 
with the surface of the soil. Then carefully fill in the soil 
around and among the roots till the hole is full. Press the 
soil in gently with the spade or foot, and the planting is fin- 
ished. Unless the day is very warm, or the plant dry 
from long carriage, give no water at this time, or any 
other. Leave the plant to its own resources. If it cannot 
grow without artificial aid, let it die ; it is not worth the 
keeping. The time for planting shrubs is in April or Oc- 
tober. April is to be preferred, as at this time the risk 



14 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



attending the first winter before becoming established is 
upon the nursery-man and not on the purchaser. 

. PRUNING 

should be applied to every plant, of whatever size, that is 
forcibly removed from one place to another. It not only 
restores the balance between the leaves and mutilated roots, 
but insures quick and vigorous growth when the leaves are 
put forth and the plant begins to grow again. At least 
one-half of all the stems should be cut away. This, to the 
beginner, may seem excessive ; but the compiler of these 
notes knows, past peradventure, that severe and thorough 
pruning, or cutting back, is one great secret of success in 
the culture of each and every plant. In pruning, cut close 
to a bud that points outward, away from the centre of the 
shrub, and so arrange it that when finished the shrub 
shall be of a round and symmetrical shape. 

TENDER SHRUBS 

are those that cannot stand our winter without injury. 
During the winter they are cultivated in the window or 
stored in the house cellar. For list and culture see Chap- 
ters YI. and VII. 

HERBACEOUS PLANTS 

are those, the roots of which survive the winter, but that 
lose their tops, or visible part, each season. In the fall the 
stem and leaves perish and decay, only to start up again 
upon the return of the spring. The following 



A SIMPLE FLOWER aARDEN. 



15 



LIST OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS 

includes those suitable for our little garden and adapted to 
our wants, namely, cut flowers : — 

Astilbe Japonica, Lily of the Yalley. 

Garden Pinks, Day Lily. 

PLANTING 

is always done in April. The roots are just starting into 
growth, and if they are simply set out in good soil, with the 
crown just below the surface, will be almost sure to thrive. 
If the root is too large, it may easily be divided into as 
many parts as there are growing points, or eyes. Each 
eye will produce a plant. A clump of several eyes will, as 
can readily be seen, make a larger and finer plant ; but if 
economy is an object, the single eyes may be used. 
Give no water at planting, or any other time. 

THE QUANTITY BEQUIRED, 

for a place of the size under consideration, is limited. Six 
small shrubs, and as many herbaceous plants, will be quite 
enough. 

POSES 

make a class by themselves. They are naturally divided 
into two smaller classes, hardy and tender. These are still 
farther divided into a number of species. To the gardener, 
these subdivisions are important. For our present purposes 
we need only know that the hardy roses include Climbing, 



16 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



June, and Hybrid Perpetuals. The following lists comprise 
all the hardy roses useful in our garden : — 

CLIMBING HOSES. 
Queen of the Prairie, Baltimore Belle. 

JUNE HOSES. 

Madam Planteer, Adalaide, — moss, 

Madam Hardy, "William Lobb, — moss, 

Perfecta, Crimson, — moss. 

HYBRID PERPETUAL ROSES. 

Giant de Battailles, . Madame Laffay, 

Jules Margottin, Caroline de Sansal, 

La Eeine, Pius IX. 

The planting, pruning, and after culture of these roses is 
precisely that of hardy shrubs. 

TENDER ROSES 

are, as their name implies, not suitable for permanent plant- 
ing. They must be removed to the window or cellar each 
winter. The only varieties we need to consider, are 

The tea-roses. These, for continual flowering and 
general use are the best of all the roses mentioned, and should 
have a place in every garden. The following kinds are the 
best : — 

Bon Silene, Soflfrano. 
THE COST 

of these plants is not high. A good shrub of the kinds 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



IT 



mentioned can be bought for fiftj cents. Roses are the 
same, and herbaceous plants can be procured for from twelve 
to twentj-five cents per clump. If not obtained directly of 
the florist, the expense of packing and transportation must 
be included. Eor persons ordering from a distance, it is 
always best to pay for, and insist upon, thorough and care- 
ful packing. To receive plants in a damaged condition is, 
to say the least, vexatious and discouraging, 
2 



18 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



CHAPTER II. 

MAY. 

SEEDS. 

The seeds used for the flower garden are divided into two 
great classes, — annuals and perennials, or biennials. 
These may be still farther divided into hardy and tender. 
The annuals are the only seeds we shall plant in our small 
garden. 

THE HARDY ANNUALS 

are sown in the open ground in the spring. The term 
hardy does not here mean that the plants will stand our 
winter ; but that they are of a more robust and vigorous 
habit, and not liable to be injured by the cold storms of 
early spring. They also have the advantage of coming to 
maturity in the open air without artificial aid 

For our garden and for cutting, the following sorts are 
desirable : — 

AUyssum, Murandia, 

Candytuft, Nasturtium, 

Clarkia, Sweet Pea, 

Larkspur, Stocks, or Gilliflowers. 
Mignonette. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



19 



THE TIME TO PLANT 

depends upon the location and season. It is useless to put 
seeds into the ground before the soil becomes warm and dry. 
This seldom happens, in the latitude of Boston, before the 
first week in May. The season also varies. One year the 
proper time for planting may be delayed for a few days. 
This must be taken into account by the planter. One 
guide in this will be to take up a handful of the garden 
loam and close the fingers tightly upon it. If, on opening 
the hand, the soil remains in a hard lump, and retains the 
imprint of the fingers, it is too wet. If it falls apart in 
an irregular heap upon the palm, planting is in order. An- 
other guide will be found in the forest trees. When , they 
put forth their young leaves, all nature is ready for active 
work. Seeds planted then germinate at once, and seldom 
fail to come up and grow vigorously. Nothing is gained 
by very early planting. Better be a grain late than too 
early. 

BOW TO PLANT. 

How deep and how thickly puzzles the beginner. The 
size of the seed settles these questions. The larger the 
seeds, the wider apart they may be scattered. The smaller 
the seeds, the slighter the covering. To plant very small 
seeds, smooth the soil down fine and level with the back 
of the trowel. Scatter the seed thickly over the surface, 
and then simply pat the soil with the trowel, and so press 
the seeds into it. A very gentle shower from the water- 



20 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



ing-pot will finish the operation. Spread newspapers over 
the spot during sunny days till the seeds come up, then re- 
move them. This will assist germination by keeping away 
the light and the extreme heat of the sun, and by preventing 
evaporation. 

To plant seeds of a large size, like the mignonette, 
roughen the surface by drawing the fine iron rake over it, 
and then scatter the seed thinly. By drawing the rake 
backward and forward over the spot a few times, the seeds 
will be covered, and the operation complete. Water as be- 
fore. The newspaper shelter may be used, but is not abso- 
lutely essential. 

Larger seeds, like the sweet pea, are carefully sown in 
narrow trenches, and about one inch deep and two inches 
apart, in the row. These are made with the trowel, and 
the seeds when dropped in the depression are simply cov- 
ered by turning back the soil with the rake or trowel. 
Water as directed, but do not shade. 

TENDER ANNUALS 

are plants that reach maturity in one season, but whose 
time of growth is longer than our short northern summer. 
To enable them, then, to reach a flowering state, they must 
be cultivated for the first few weeks under glass, in a green- 
house or hot-bed. This is best done by the commercial flo- 
rists. From them the young plants can be procured at a 
very low cost. They are furnished either in clumps, or 



A SIMPLE ELOWER GARDEN. 



21 



singly in small pots. The following list embraces the best 
common sorts for cutting from during blooming : — - 

Amaranthus tricolor, Marigolds, 
Asters, Celosia, 
Balsams, Cobea scandens. 



THE TIME TO PLANT 

must necessarily be later than that for seeds. The seeds 
are put in the ground out of sight. A cold storm the next 
day does no harm. The tender annuals are young plants 
already started, and liable to injury if planted before the 
weather becomes settled. The tenth of May is the very 
earliest suitable time. Nothing is gained by haste in hor- 
ticulture. 

TO PLANT TENDER ANNUALS 

is simple in the extreme. If the bed where they are to 
stand is properly prepared, and the season sufficiently ad- 
vanced, the soil will be light, dry, and pleasant to handle. 
Tools are not needed. The hand alone is enough, and in 
this connection it must be borne in mind that no young 
lady need fear, or must hesitate, to use her hands freely in 
the culture of flowers. Gloves are useful to keep away the 
effects of the sun, but should never be used for any other 
purpose. The common loam of the flower garden will not 
seriously soil or injure the most delicate hand. 

If the seedling plants are in pots, turn them out by holding 



22 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



the pot upside down, with the fingers spread over the soil. 
A gentle rap upon the bottom of the pot will cause the 
plant to fall out uninjured. Then, with the hand, make a 
small hole in the ground, drop the roots of the plant undis- 
turbed into it, so that the soil is about level with the sur- 
face ; press the loam gently around the plant, and the opera- 
tion is finished. After all the plants are set out, smooth 
down the broken surface with the fine iron rake, and sprin- 
kle freely with water. 

If the plants are not in pots, but in clumps, defer tlie 
planting till a cloudy day, or when the dew is falling in the 
evening. Separate the plants carefully and set out one at 
a time. If the soil is in order, one thrust of the forefinger, 
or a small pointed stick, will make a hole into which the 
tender roots of the plant may be dropped. A slight pres- 
sure with the fingers will fasten the plant upright where it 
is to grow. A shower of water and the use of the rake 
will make all complete. Should the next three days be 
clear, these plants must be shaded from the sun with old 
newspapers, or anything else that is convenient. 

DISTANCES TO PLANT. 

This is something about which definite rules cannot be 
laid down. No plant should stand nearer to another than 
one-half its own height. A plant two feet high should not 
stand less than twelve inches from another of the same size. 
As the catalogues of the florists, or seedsmen, always 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



23 



Bpecifj this, the information can be easily obtained from 
them. 

THE COST 

of seeds varies with the kinds. From five to twentj-five 
cents per paper is the .usual retail price. One paper of 
each kind will be sufl&cient for our garden. The tender an- 
nuals in pots will be about seventy-five cents a dozen; 
without the pots, fifty cents. Three dozen plants will be 
enough. 

BEDDING PLANTS 

are raised from cuttings, and are for sale in the spring by 
the florists. They are grown in pots, but of a larger size 
than those used for the tender annuals. The following list 
includes those desirable for our garden. The tea-roses, it 
will be noticed, are called bedding plants, and should be 
placed at the head. The other plants are in the order of 
their merit. 

Tea-roses, Lemon Verbenas, 

Heliotropes, Geraniums, 

Carnations, reverfews, 

Verbenas, Salvias. 

THE TIME TO PLANT 

varies with the season. In New England it is the same as 
that for tender annuals, — from the twentieth of May to 
the tenth of June. 

PLANTING 

is a very -simple aiffair. Turn from the pots, and set out as 



24 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



directed for tender annuals in pots. With these plants, the 
distance they are to stand from each other depends upon the 
habit of the individual. If the plant, like the verbena, is 
inclined to creep over the ground, suflScient space must be 
allowed for it to ramble at will. Two or three feet will be 
very near the right distance. Climbing vines must be 
placed near a trellis of some sort, or have room allowed for 
them to roam over the ground. For vines, this last plan 
may seem careless and negligent; but, if they are kept 
within reasonable limits, the effect is pretty and peculiar. 
In regard to all others the same guide before given must 
answer. 

ARRANGING PLANTS 

for effect, in such a very small garden, can hardly be at- 
tempted. Beyond placing them so that a tall one will not 
hide nor shade from the sun a low one, the cultivator's 
own taste must be the only guide. 

ARRANGING FOR COLOR 

is something about which, if we had a large garden, we 
might fill whole pages. The planter's taste must, in this 
matter also, be the guide. Should she not know what the 
colors are, any florist's catalogue will supply the needed 
information. This naturally leads to a new and valuable 
class of garden plants, called ; — 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



25 



FOLIAGE PLANTS. 

They are in every respect, save one, like bedding plants, 
they have no flowers of any value. Their sole beauty con- 
sists in the coloring of the leaves. To compensate for their 
few and feeble flowers, nature has endowed them with the 
most remarkable and striking foliage. The best common 
kinds are in the following list : — 

Acliyranthus, Cineraria raaratima, 

Amaranthus tricolor, Centaurea Candida, 

Coleus, Centaurea gmynocarpa, 

Japanese maize. 

THEIR VSE 

is easily seen, - — decoration, not cutting. It is true, the 
leaves are sometimes used with great effect in flower worlj ; 
but their principal value is for garden ornamentation. By 
arranging them in groups or masses, most wonderful effects 
are produced. One color may be contrasted with another, 
or several colors combined in harmony. The so-called 
''ribbon gardening" is produced by their use. This is 
merely planting in long rows, or bands, one or more colors 
and kinds, thus producing the effect of an immense colored 
ribbon trailing over the lawn, or through the borders of the 
garden. The arranging of these plants in masses, or rib- 
bons, is a matter of taste. To understand the effect, and to 
try the experiments, in combining colors, set the plants when 
young, and while in their pots, upon the garden walk or 



2G- 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



other smooth place, and there arratige to suit the taste. 
When a pattern is made that seems good, transfer the plants 
one at a time, to the border, as described for bedding plants, 
keeping the pattern intact. In such a small garden as the 
one- under consideration, the use of foliage plants is limited. 
It requires a much larger place to display the most striking 
effects of ribbon gardening, or even to show these plants in 
masses. 

A LONG LOOK AHEAD 

is essential in all gardening operations. If it is desired to 
have flowers at any particular time, it will be necessary to 
make preparations six months in advance. To have flowers 
all the year round, the cultivator must be continually look- 
ing ahead for months, and preparing each season for those 
plants that are to bloom half a year afterward. In May we 
must get ready the plants that are to bloom in November. 
Among the plants used for window gardening are the fol- 
lowing : — 

Steevia, Eupatorium, 
Bouvardia, Carnations, La Purite 

Jasmine, and President Degraw. 

These are procured in May, and set out in some corner 
of the border. They are of about the size of bedding plants, 
and are planted and treated in precisely the same way. 
As they are not expected to bear flowers during the summer, 
it is not important where they stand. Their after treatment 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



27 



is quite different from, that of other plants and will be found 
in the next chapter. 

THE COST 

of bedding, window, and foliage plants varies greatly with 
the kinds. Tea-roses are worth about fifty cents each ; ver- 
benas one dollar and a half a dozen ; the others, two dollars. 
Foliage plants are from two to three dollars ; small plants 
for the window about one dollar a dozen. Two roses, one 
dozen verbenas, one dozen foliage plants, and two plants 
each of the other kinds, will be enough. 



28 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



CHAPTER III. 

JUNE. 

WEEDING 

Is the horticultural terror that deters many people from hav- 
ing a garden. Weeds always will come up, and the richer 
the soil, the more readily they do so. Yet, if properly 
managed, they present no serious obstacle to success. The 
true method of treating them is to destroy them when very 
young — not over one-half inch high. They never need 
be pulled up by hand, except from those few spots where 
the hoe cannot reach them. The hoe used is known as a 
long-handled shuffle hoe, and is pushed about over the sur- 
face, cutting off and destroying the young weeds. If they 
are thus taken in hand early, before they acquire a firm 
hold in the ground, the trouble of removing is very slight. 
Choose a bright, sunny morning, when the wind and sun 
will wilt the tiny plants thrown out by the hoe. As soon 
as they appear again, repeat the dose. The iron rake will 
here come in play to remove the marks of the hoe and any 
lingering weed not killed by the sun. No weeds must be 
suffered to remain on the ground over night, because, if not 
utterly dead, the cool air and dew may revive them and 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



29 



they will start again into new life and trouble. The sur- 
face of the garden is much improved by this hoeing and 
raking, and, if possible, it should be done after every rain, 
or at least once a week. One hour will be sufficient to en- 
able one to go over both borders. 

INSECTS 

appear in June, and, if allowed to have full freedom, will 
do great harm. The best friends the grower can have are 
the birds. If treated kindly, and made to feel at heme in 
the garden, they will do more to remove troublesome in- 
sects than any other one thing, except toads. Toads should 
be treated with respect and kindness. If there are none in 
the garden, hire a boy to procure a dozeii, and give them 
free range over the grass and borders. They destroy great 
quantities of vermin, and must, therefore, have all the con- 
sideration due to floricultural benefactors. The lady-bird, 
a small and well-known insect, also seems to keep down 
destructive creatures of its own kind. Plaster, or wood 
ashes, sprinkled over the leaves of young plants, if applied 
early in the morning, will keep away several kinds of de- 
structive bugs. The following mixture, if showered with 
a syringe over rose bushes or other plants infested with the 
rose slug, will be found useful. It can be procured from 
any chemist, and when once prepared will last a long time : — 
Sol Sulphuret of Lime, 

Quicklime, 1 lb. , 

Sulphur (flowers), 2 " 
Water, 10 " 



80 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Boil for an hour ; cool and decant the clear solution. 
Mix a half pint in four gallons of water and use freely. 

THINNING SEEDLINGS 

is something that must be attended to, if good plants are 
desired. On the spots where the seeds were sown a mat 
of green plants will appear, and probably growing too thick- 
ly together for health and comfort. Having determined, 
from the height and habit of the plant, how many can stand 
there, pull up and destroy the rest, beginning at the weak- 
est, so that those left for growth shall be the finest and 
strongest. 

PINCHING. 

Our common garden plants grow, and increase in size, 
by what is called "the extension of the growing point." 
That is, they push out the tip ends of their shoots and 
elongate them in that one direction. When a plant is in 
vigorous growth, it will not only extend its shoots in one 
direction, but in several. From the sides of a shoot other 
growing points start out. These in turn repeat themselves, 
and in this way the plant becomes filled with growing ends 
or shoots. As the flowers are always borne upon the ends 
of the shoots, it is plain that the more shoots, the more 
flowers. If by any means the number of shoots is still 
farther increased, the gain in flowers will correspond. This 
is easily done by pinching between the thumb and finger 
the soft and tender tip of the shoot. The plant, disap- 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



31 



pointed in that direction, at once puts forth two or more 
shoots just below the injured one, and growth goes on in 
two new directions, instead of one. The advantage to the 
grower is plain. So long, however, as the pinching is 
carried on, no flowers will appear. Therefore, when it is 
desired that the plant should put forth buds, the pinching 
must cease. A plant pinched in June will flower in July. 
If pinched through Julj, the flower will come in August, 
and in greatly increased quantities. 

PUSrCniNG HOUSE PLA'NTS 

is carried on all summer. Those carnations, bouvardias, 
salvia, and other plants to be used in the house during the 
coming winter are not allowed to bloom at all, but are 
pinched as often as the shoots become a few inches long. 
This Avill occur about twice a month through the entire 
season. The efiect of this is to produce thick, compact 
plants, filled with hundreds of short shoots, every one of 
which will bear a bud, and return to the careful grower an 
overflowing harvest of blooming flowers. 



32 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN 



CHAPTER IV. 

JULY. 
TRAINING. 

With the warm weather of this month comes the lighter 
work of training and guiding the now luxuriant plants. 
In this, the habit or manner of growth must be considered. 
Vines, like the climbing roses, murandia, and nasturtium, 
must have suitable trellises to which they may cling or be 
fastened. The grower's taste must be the guide in the 
matter of style and position of the trellis. The only point 
to be observed is, that the trellis shall not shade any other 
plant. Sometimes vines are allowed to sweep over the 
ground in seeming freedom. The efiect is very pretty, if 
care is taken not to let the vine invade other plants. Plants 
like the carnation,^ that need the support of a stake, to 
which they are tied, must now receive attention. A com- 
mon lath, sawn in two, will make a cheap stake. The 
plants must not be fastened tightly, but have room to 
expand as they grow. Plants that creep over the ground, 
like the verbena, are greatly improved by being pegged 
down. This is nothing more than using old hair-pins, or 
twigs from a tree, so cut that one end can grasp the stem 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



of the plant and the other be thrust into the ground. The 
best twine for tying plants, or for any other work about 
flowers or plants, is what is known as shoemaker's linen 
thread. It can be found at the shoe-finding stores. This 
matter of training plants, either in the house or garden, is 
one that the grower's own taste must mainly guide as best 
it may. 

CUTTING FLOWERS 

in the garden seems a very simple affair ; yet upon the way 
it is done depends the size of the crop. The usual way is 
to cut all flowers with a long stem. It may seem unnatural 
and almost barbarous to do so, but the true way, for the 
greater part of our flowers, is to remove them without a 
stem. Eoses of all kinds should be cut with a long stem. 
The longer the better, provided other buds are not de- 
stroyed. The carnation, and all plants that bear their 
flowers in clusters, should be removed without stems. The 
heliotrope should have a very short stem, and the verbena 
should only be cut off as far down as the first leaf. A bit 
of iron wire will serve for a stem if it is desired to make 
the flowers into a bouquet. If they are placed in shallow 
dishes, which is the best way to display them, stems are of 
no consequence. The best method of arranging flowers in 
bouquets will be found in Chapter XII. 

THE TIME FOR CUTTING 

is always just after sundown, unless a storm is feared, that 
3 



84 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



will destroy them before they can be cut in the evening. 
On cloudy days it does not make so much dijBference. The 
explanation of this is to be found in the state of the sap in 
the plant at different times of the day. From the earliest 
dawn until sundown the leaves are actively drawing upon 
the roots, and the sap is flowing freely. At sundown this 
ceases J and the leaves are nearly dormant till morning. The 
plant is taking its .rest, — is asleep. The sap may be 
accumulating, but is not flowing rapidly as during the day. 
A flower cut in the sunshine will wilt at once, and if not 
put into water will quickly perish. A flower cut at sunset 
will remain fresh all night, even if it is not put in water. 
If put in a close, hot room it will fade in an hour, but in a 
cool place will not appear to change for many hours. 
Flowers cut, therefore, at evening, will keep the longest 
and afibrd the most pleasure. In this connection, it must 
be kept in mind that no rose should be allowed to expand 
fully. Cut them all while in bud. This may be applied 
to every flower. It costs more to bring one flower to full 
maturity than to produce a dozen buds. Therefore, cut as 
soon as in condition, and cut them all. To suffer the 
flowers to fade on a plant, and to go to seed, is to lose nine- 
tenths of the whole crop. Freedom and generosity in the 
matter of cutting flowers is the best policy and the truest 
economy. 

THE TUBEROSE 

can hardly be called a simple flower ; yet, as it costs no more 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 85 

to grow a good plant than a poor one, this splendid flower 
should be admitted into our little handkerchief garden. 
The simplest way to cultivate one is to purchase a bulb, 
already started, from some reliable florist. It should be 
growing, during J ulj, in what is called a seven-inch pot, 
and should have a cluster of well-developed leaves. The 
price will be about fifty cents. When the plant arrives, it 
should be sunk in the ground up to the rim of the pot. 
During dry weather it must be watered whenever the soil 
in the pot becomes dry. Nothing more need be done to it, 
except to tie the flower-stem to a stake as soon ^s it is a 
foot high. In September it will be removed to the house 
for blooming. Concerning its after treatment, see Chapter 
VI. 



36 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



CHAPTER V. 

AUGUST. 

The work in the garden for this month consists of a 
repetition of the work for July, with the addition of some 
slight preparations for the future. A part of the plants 
will run out, and 

SOmNG FOR A SUCCESSION 

will be in order. Sowing for the garden comes first. It 
will be found, about this time, that many of the annuals 
planted in April and May have become exhausted. To 
keep up a supply, and have flowers during the entire 
summer, it will be necessary to replant many of the annu- 
als. As seed-planting has already been spoken of, it need 
not be repeated now. 

SOmNG FOE WINTER USE 

is done in August. By this is meant the sowing of cer- 
tain kinds of seeds (in pots or boxes) that will be event- 
ually removed to the house, and there allowed to bloom 
during the winter months. The following kinds are found 
to be useful : — 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



37 



Chinese primrose, Stocks. 
Mignonette, AUyssum. 

A couple of raisin boxes, a paper of each kind of seed, 
and a peck of soil, will be all we need. To make the soil, 
sift some dry loam, from the garden, through a coal-sieve, 
and mix it with one-half its weight of common mason's 
sand. Having filled the boxes, sow the seed in them, as 
directed for fine seeds in Chapter I. Set the boxes in 
some shady place till the seeds come up, then sink the 
boxes to the rim in the garden loam. In about three 
weeks, the young plants will require setting out in pots for 
the winter. How to do this is told in the next chapter. 



38 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



CHAPTER VI. 

SEPTEMBEK. 
SOILS FOR POTTING, 

All of our so-called house plants, like those of the 
garden, are divided into two classes, — soft and hard 
wooded. Each of these require a soil suitable to its wants. 
There is a theory that every variety of plant should have 
a peculiar soil adapted to its particular wants. This theory 
has been a leading one in horticulture for a long time, and 
the practice of most gardeners, and the teachings of all hor- 
ticultural books, save one, has been, that for nineteen dif- 
ferent plants, nineteen different soils must be prepared. 
Many books contain long lists of soils suitable for potting. 
Measuring off by quarts and pints, sand, peaty loam, turf, 
and a hundred other mixtures of known and unknown sub- 
stances, they lead the ignorant reader to think the potting 
of a few house plants a profound and almost terrifying 
mystery. In practice this is perfectly idle and useless. 
One soil, easily prepared by any " child, will suit all soft- 
wooded plants. A still more simple soil will meet the 
wants of the hard-wooded plants. In our little sitting- 
room we have but three windows, one on the east, and two 



A SIMPLE ILOWER GARDEN. 



89 



on the south side of the room. These will accommodate, 
during the winter about fifty plants. Not all at one time, 
but during the season extending from September to May. 
The soil in which these plants are to grow must be pro- 
cured in September, and in sufficient quantities to last the 
entire eight months between this and spring. 

THE SOFT-WOODED PLANTS 

will need, of good common loam, from a potato-field, three 
barrels ; of well-decomposed barn manure, three barrels ; 
of mason's sand, one barrel. A flour-barrel is used for a 
measure, because it gives the right proportions, the right 
quantity, and is convenient to keep the soils in during the 
winter. Each of these three materials must be sifted 
through a common wire sieve, and the barrels, when filled, 
placed out of the reach of frost and wet. 

TRE HARD-WOODED PLANTS 

will require one barrel of sand and two of peat. Great 
care must be used in procuring this latter. It must be 
thoroughly decomposed by the action of sun and frost. To 
do this, it must be dug from the peat-bog, and allowed to lay 
exposed to the weather for nine or " more months. It is 
then fine, soft, and in condition to sustain plant life. These 
two lists show to which class each plant, we shall use in 
our window, belongs. It will serve for a guide in potting 
them. 



40 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Soft-wooded. 



Astilbe, 

Bouvardia, 

Cape Jasmine, 

Mignonette, 

Stocks, 

Tuberose, 

Murandia, 

Heliotrope, 

Jasmine. 



Ally s sum. 

Carnation, 

Eupatorium, 

Chinese Primrose, 

Salvia, 

Smilax, 

Ivy, 

Euchsia, 



Azalia, 
Lemon, 



Hard-wooded. 



Orange, 
Camelia. 



TOOLS 



are essential, if window plants are to be carried through 
the winter. A small work-bench, about two feet wide, and 
at least four feet long, will be useful in various ways. A 
trowel, coarse iron sieve, bundle of small sticks for holding 
plants upright, some twine, a lot of ''crocks," or flower- 
pots broken up into inch pieces, and a quantity of flower- 
pots, will be needed. These last need not be described. 
They should be of a light brick-red color, sound, and having 
a suitable hole in the bottom. In speaking of pots, it must 
be remembered that each one is of a certain size. The 
size is determined by the width of the pot across the top ; 
hence the names, two-inch, three-inch, seven-inch, ten-inch, 
etc. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



41 



THE WINDOWS 

where the plants are to stand during the winter, their 
shape and aspect, are matters of importance. First, they 
must have a movable sash that can be opened at top or 
bottom ; secondly, roll-up, not drapery, curtains must be 
provided, and, lastly, the windows must face the east, 
south, south-east, or south-west. No other aspect will 
answer. If you have no such window, do not attempt 
window gardening. If a bay-window with the right aspect, 
is at command, so much the better. 

STAND FOR PLANTS, 

In order to accommodate as many plants as possible, some- 
thing more than the narrow window-sill is needed. A small, 
narrow table placed close to the window will answer. 
Still better, make a table two feet in width and as long as 
the window is wide, having a flat top with a rim or ledge, 
about two inches high, around the edge. If this tray-like 
top is lined with zinc, it will last the longer. Into this 
tray put clean sand till it is nearly full. Upon this sand- 
covered table the plants are to stand. The stand itself 
need not be quite as high as the edge of the window. It 
will be of no consequence if the pots are not in the sunlight. 
The side towards the room may be closed up by a curtain, or 
other covering, as the owner may fancy. 



42 



A SIMPLE ■ FLOWER GARDEN. 



POTTING 

is next in order. The young seedlings in the raisin 
boxes will require attention first. The early part of Sep- 
tember will see them up and waiting for more room. Up- 
on the work-bench make up a heap of soil, as for soft- 
wooded plants, taking of each kind the proportions the 
barrels contain, — that is. three parts of loam, three parts 
manure, one part sand. After this, in mixing soils for any 
plant, the kind to which it belongs, and the proportions of 
materials contained in the barrels, will settle the whole per- 
plexing matter of potting at a glance. The mixing can be 
left to the native ingenuity of the mixer. The only thing 
essential is not to be afraid of dirty hands, and to have the 
mixing well done. Having a heap of soil ready and the 
box of plants at hand, next see that enough clean, three- 
inch pots are in reach. If the pots are dirty, leave every- 
thing till they have been well washed. When all is ready, 
put a bit of crock in the bottom of the pot to prevent the 
soil from escaping, and then fill heaping full of soil. Pry 
up from the box a number of the young plants, then, hav- 
ing made a hole with the finger in the pot of soil, drop the 
roots of a little plant into it. Give the soil a gentle 
squeeze with the fingers, take the pot in the hand, and give 
it a light rap on the bench, and the work is done. A child 
of twelve could readily do it, and a smart lad ought to pot 
many hundred a day. When all the plants are potted set 
them in a shady place, on the floor, or on the north side of 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



43 



a wall out of doors, and shower them freelj with water. In 
about four dajs they will be fit to be removed to the full 
sun in the window. 

The potting of other plants from the garden is similar, 
except that, as the roots of the plant are very much larger, 
a larger pot must be used, and the soil, with the exception 
of an inch or two in the bottom, is put in after the roots 
are placed in the pot. This potting of plants is something 
easily acquired, and no young lady need hesitate to do it. 
About the middle of September the following plants must 
be dug up from the garden, and carefully potted in large 
pots : — 

Bouvardia, Jasmine, 
Carnation, Steevia, 
Eupatorium, Salvia. 

A cloudy day, or cool afternoon, will be the best time, 
and after the work has been done the plants should be kept 
damp and shady for a few days before going to their places 
in the window. About the last of the month, the tea-roses 
and geraniums in the garden can be taken up, about one- 
half of their tops cut away, and then potted in as small pot 
as will contain the roots. After this they may be set in 
a shady place till signs of frost appear. Their final des- 
tination is the house cellar. 



THE TUBEROSES^ 

in potSj that were standing in the garden, must now be taken 



44 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN". 



up, the pots washed, and then moved to a sunny place in 
the window. 

MORE PLANTS 

than those we have now on hand can be accommodated in the 
window, and, to keep up a succession, and have a variety, 
others must be bought. We have already nearly all that 
our garden will afford, and the plants still there are, with a • 
few exceptions, no longer of any value. The new plants 
can be obtained of the florists, and will be already potted, 
and in order for immediate use. The only attention they 
will require will be to see that both pots and plants are 
perfectly clean. Having in mind our original object, — 
plants from which flowers maybe cut, — the following list will 
aid us by giving the right kinds and quantities : — 

2 Azalias, 4 Heliotropes, 

1 Orange, 6 Smilax, 

1 Lemon, 2 Murandias, 

2 Cape Jasmines, 4 Ivies, 

2 Camellias. 

The smilax and murandias and ivies are vines, and as 
they are trained upon long strings, and grow where nothing 
else will, and are valuable for green in flower- work, the 
number advised is not excessive. There are two more plants 
left in the garden, that, when the frost takes away their 
leaves, will be removed to the house cellar, and eventually 
reach the window. Of them, more in Chapters VII. and 
XI. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



45 



THE POSITION m THE WINDOW 

of these plants must now be considered. The soil in which 
plants grow does not, within certain limits, seem to make 
much difference ; but the temperature of the air in which 
the J live does make a great deal. Here, into our one room 
with its three windows, we have brought plants that rexuire 
very different treatment. At a well-regulated commercial 
establishment, each kind would have a separate house and 
treatment^ — a cool house for one kind, a warm one for an- 
other. Here, all we can do is to compromise the mat- 
ter as best we may. We can, however, remedy this in 
part, by standing the plants in different positions. 

The following can stand in the warmest and sunniest 
places in the south windows : — 



Bouvardia, 
Ally s sum, 
Eupatorum, 
Chinese Primrose, 
Fuchsia, 

The following may stand 
and cooler air : — 

Carnation, 
Cape Jasmine, 
Murandia, 



Heliotrope, 

Tea-rose, 

Astilbe, 

Mignonette, 

Jasmine. 

behind these in the partial shade 

Tuberose, 

Salvia, 

Smilax. 



These may go to the east window, where there is the 
least sun and lowest temperature : — 



46 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Azalia, Orange, 
Lemon, Camellia, 
Ivy. 

THE COST 

of all these soils, materials, etc. , may interest the reader. 
The soils will be about one dollar a barrel, perhaps less. 
The tools can easily be estimated from Chapter I. The 
pots cost per. dozen, in cents as follows : — 

2| in. 3 in. 5 in. 7 in. 8 in. 10 in. 

18; "24; 65; 1.25; 1.60; 2.70. 

The stock plants will average each somewhat as fol- 
lows : — 

Azalia, . . $2 00 Cape Jasmine, . . $2 00 

Orange, . 2 00 Murandia, .... 25 

Lemon, . . 2 00 Ivy, 60 

Smilax, ... 75 Camellia, .... 3 00 
Heliotrope, . . 50 

By paying more, larger and better plants can" be pro- 
cured of the azalia, camellia, lemon and orange ; but, even 
at this low price, blooming plants will be furnished by the 
florists. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



47 



CHAPTER VIL 

OCTOBER. 

" The harvest now is over; the summer days are gone ; " 
the floricultural performance is finished, and nothing remains 
to be done except to clear up the ruins. Before we do so, 
two plants must be saved from the wreck. The deutzia, 
when the frost kills its leaves, and the astilbe japonica, when 
its top fades away, must be dug up, put into large pots, and 
after being watered, sent to keep the tea-roses and gerani- 
ums company in the cellar, safe from frost, mice, and 
daylight. If it is desired to have a fuchsia bloom in Febru- 
ary, it must now be procured from the florist and treated in the 
same way, — sent to rest, and sleep till the spring returns 
in January, when the season turns. What this means will 
be explained in due time. 

CLEARING VP THE GARDEN 

should be done in October ; all traces of the dead plants 
taken away, and the borders raked clean. Over the lawn 
and border, and around every rose and shrub, a good coat- 
ing of coarse manure must be spread, there to remain till 
April. This may seem costly advice ; but without such a 



48 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



dressing at least once a year, success in lawn or garden 
need not be expected. The manure applied in the spring 
need not be repeated the coming season. It should have 
been done the previous fall, but could not, as the house was 
not occupied by its present tenants at that time. 

SEED-SAVING 

is not advised. It is the best economy not to save seeds of 
the garden flowers, but to buy new and other kinds of some 
reliable seed merchant. In this connection the abandon- 
ing of all the bedding and other plants in the garden may 
be touched upon. • It is possible to take up nearly all of the 
plants, and save them over through the winter ; but it is not 
advisable. With the exception of those plants that have been 
taken up and stored in the cellar, the rest are not worth the 
trouble and expense of keeping. By actual experiment it has 
been proved to be cheaper to throw away all the garden 
plants each fall, and buy new the next spring. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



49 



CHAPTER VIII. 

NOVEMBER. 

All out-of-door work is now over, and for the next five 
months the window plants alone command our attention. 
The amount of work necessary to be done in watering, air- 
ing, and otherwise caring for them, is small, but the details 
are many. 

A plant in a pot follows an essentially artificial life. 
The sun alone ministers to its wants. The dew, rain, 
air, and all else it needs, are supplied by human hands. 
As it has no voice and cannot make its wants known, 
the only course for the cultivator to pursue is to sup- 
ply each and every want before it exists. By doing this, 
regularly and persistently, success may be assured. 

Watering is one of the most important things to be at- 
tended to in the care of house-plants. The time to do it is 
always the early morning, about breakfast time. Which 
days to give water can be ascertained from the plant or the 
weather. Of course, if the plant has wilted, it must be 
watered at once, be the time what it may. 

The surface of the soil in the pot, and the pot itself, will 

serve for guides in this matter. Give water when the soil is 
4 



50 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



dry, and when the pot loses its color and seems to fade, or 
become of a lighter red. When water is given, fill the 
pot brimful. Do it thoroughly, if at all. This water-giving 
is done with a watering-pot, having the rose, or sprinkler, 
removed. Showering the plants must be done occa- 
sionally. To do this, remove the plants to the sink, 
and give them a free and liberal bath. The water-pot-rain- 
storm will benefit them greatly, by removing dust and other 
dirt upon the leaves. 

As regards the weather, it will be found that on cloudy 
and stormy days no water will be needed. This will save 
much trouble. Only on bright, sunny mornings should 
water be given in any form ; but if cloudy weather continue 
for several days, it may become necessary to give water 
without waiting for the sun. 

The temperature of the water should never be below forty 
degrees. The half-empty urn upon the deserted breakfast 
table will be found convenient to temper the water. 

GIVING AIR 

is another important point to be observed. Fresh air must 
be supplied to plants, or people for that matter, if health is 
expected. Opening the doors or windows will do this. In 
opening the latter, care must be taken that no cold draughts 
blow upon the plants. Sickness and death will result to 
plants, as surely as to men, by such exposures. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



51 



The best thing for a room where plants are kept is an 
open fire. The worst, a hot-air furnace, — the last inven- 
tion for producing that arch-enemj of men and plants, bad 
air. If it is possible, a tight coal, or wood-burning stove is 
still worse. A steam, or hot-water furnace is safe and un- 
objectionable, provided the radiators or pipes are not in the 
room. The greatest destroyer of pure air is 

GAS. 

The effect of burning gas upon plants is too well known 
to need discussion. Unless a gas-lighted room is aired freely, 
successful plants, or healthy people, need not hope to live 
there. An accidental experiment, which illustrated the effect 
of bad air upon plants, once came under the writer's observa- 
tion. Two fine, healthy, and thrifty fuchsias were one 
evening brought into a large hall that had been used all the 
preceding day for a school-room. During the evening the 
place was crowded with people till quite late. The next 
morning every leaf had dropped from the plants, and in 
twenty-four hours they were quite dead. How the men 
and women there assembled, survived, is past finding out. 

CLEANLINESS 

is another essential to successful plant life. The soil, pots, 
and plants must be kept perfectly clean at all times. 



THE SOIL 

should never have litter of any kind allowed to lodge 



52 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



upon it, nor any mould or weeds growing over it. If the 
soil is, about once a month, stirred or scraped an inch 
deep, cleanliness will be secured. The plants themselves 
will be improved by thus stirring the soil and keeping it 
light, and open to the influence of sun, air, and water. 

THE POTS 

should be washed occasionally, and the green, slimy mould 
that gathers upon the sides of the pot kept away. An- 
other advantage results from this : that is, the pots are kept 
porous, which seems to be of great benefit to all plants 
growing in them. 

THE PLANTS 

must be kept free from all broken stems, dead leaves, dust, 
or mould. In the garden the wind and rain will do all this, 
but. in the house these are wanting. The hand, watering- 
pot, syringe, and bath must take their place. 

TEMPERATURE. 

This is the last, and most important of all matters con- 
nected with the care of house plants. The right degree of 
heat to maintain in the room varies with the weather. On 
sunny days the thermometer may rise ta seventy or even 
seventy-five. On cloudy days a lower temperature is desir- 
able. Sixty-five, or from that to sixty-eight, will be found 
nearly right. It will not suit them all ; but as the growing 
of so many kinds in one room is at best a compromise, thia 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



53 



point will be most favorable for all. At night the tempera- 
ture must be maintained at about fifty or fifty-five. If the 
glass often falls below this point, failure may be expected. 
The plants will perhaps manage to live in a night tempera- 
ture of forty, but bloom they will not. 

Lastly, do not let the temperature vary greatly. Uni- 
formity in this respect is the great secret of success in all 
artificial culture of plants, whether in "stoves," "fern- 
eries," " camellia houses, " or parlors. 

MOISTURE 

in the air is essential to the health of house plants. The 
dry, half-burnt air from a furnace is the chief cause of fail- 
ure. Various methods are resorted to in order to add to the 
amount of vapor held in the air. A dish of water upon the 
stove aids greatly. Fresh air from the open window, and 
the damp sand in the window-stand will both help, and 
the syringe will help still more. By this, it is not meant 
that the plants shall be showered as they stand in the room, 
but in the kitchen sink. The moisture that clings to the 
foliage after such a bath will dry away, and float in vapor 
in the air, to be returned with interest to the plants. 

BULBS 

have not been spoken of, because this work merely relates to 
those few simple and cheap flowers adapted to a very small 
garden. In the parlor a few may be used with pleasure and 



54 A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 

profit. The single white hyacinths " hyacinthus romanus," 
are the best. Thej can be forced into flower at any time 
during the winter. Their culture is easy. Plant one bulb 
in a four-inch pot, or a number in a larger one, using the 
soft-wood soil. The bulbs must be sunk in the soil so that 
the top just shows above the surface. After being watered 
they must be covered completely, pot and all, in sand. 
The sand may be in anything that will hold it, and the 
whole affair must be put in the warmest corner to be found 
in the house. In about a month they may be taken out of 
the sand, and if the roots have started they can be placed 
in the window. After blooming, keep the plant still grow- 
ing till it shows signs of turning yellow ; then give it less 
and legs water till it utterly dries up. In the spring the 
bulb can be shaken out of the pot, and put away in a dry 
place till needed another season. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDElSr. 



55 



CHAPTER IX. 

DECEMBER. 

During this month house plants require but little atten- 
tion beyond keeping things clean and in order. It is now 
the dead of winter, and all vegetable life is inclined to rest 
and sleep. Very little growth can be expected from any 
plants, and if the steevia, bouvardia, salvia, and tuberose 
give a few flowers, it is all that can be expected during this 
dark and stormy month. 

The young seedlings in three-inch pots may need re- 
potting into the next size ; but they will be the only plants 
that require much attention. To tell when a plant needs 
re-potting, turn it out of the pot and examine the roots. If 
the plant is in a small pot, and has not come into full flower, 
and the roots have twined and matted themselves about the 
soil, a new and larger pot is needed. 

TO RE-POT A PLANT. 

Prepare the soil and pots, with a bit of crock in the 
bottom of each, and having turned the plant from its 
pot, pick out the crocks, and pare or brush away a little of 
the surface soil that clings about the roots. Having put 



56 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



enough soil in the new pot to raise the plant to the proper 
level, place it in the centre and fill in around the sides with 
fresh soil. Give it a gentle shower of water, and keep it 
cool and shady for one day ; then it may return to the win- 
dow. Many old gardeners, and all the books, say that in 
re-potting, the bottom of the pot must be filled with crocks. 
In the writer's experience this is pure fiction. One piece 
answers every purpose. 

THE TURN OF THE SEASON 

occurs in this month. On or about the twenty-first the 
sun reaches its lowest point, and then returns. At once the 
days grow longer, and in a little while all plants in greenhouse, 
wardian case, or parlor window, feel the change. Their 
slumber is at an end, and with livelier sap and newly burst- 
ing buds they proclaim that spring has come again. Previous 
to this turn of the season but few plants would bloom, and 
none were inclined to grow. Now all is changed. Any- 
thing will grow if it has a ch^^nce, and bloom if by any 
possibility it can. Even the sleepy potato, in. the bin in 
the cellar, opens pallid eyes, and blindly seeks the return- 
ing light and heat. The deutzia and astilbe feel it in 
their torpid veins, and if brought up to the light and air, 
and well supplied with water, will start out into sudden 
flowers. 

A JUDICIOUS THROWING AWAY 

of plants must now be adopted. The salvia and steevia 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



57 



having passed their bloom, should be thrown away, and the 
pot saved for future use. More room will be gained, and 
plants no longer yielding a paying crop put where they will 
give no further trouble. It may occur to the reader, why 
not save them for another year ? Simply because it will 
not pay. 



58 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



CHAPTER X. 

JAKUART. 

With the advancing season and renewed growtli come 
again the insects, so troublesome to the cultivator of helio- 
trope and carnations. The airing, watering, and other 
wants of the plants also increase; but with added cares 
come new floral rewards, new surprises in bud and blossom. 
First, of 

INSECTS. 

The most troublesome in the house is the green fly, or 
aphis. There is but one thing to be done, — remove them, or 
lose your plants. To one cure only will they yield, — tobacco 
smoke. This must be given in quantities sufficient to destroy 
animal life. No mere wreath from a cigar will answer. A 
cloud of smoke that will fill an entire room must be raised. 
First, place all the plants that are affected upon the floor of 
the wood-shed, or other small room, and, having sprinkled 
them with water, get the tobacco ready for burning. To- 
bacco-stems are used for this purpose, as they cost but a 
trifle. Wet the floor about the plants, to prevent 
. any accident from fire, and also wet about a peck of 
the tobacco. When it has ceased dripping procure several 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GAEDEJT. 



59 



live coals upon the fire-shovel. Set it upon the wet floor, 
and sprinkle over the coals a handful of drj tobacco, broken 
up fine. When it is fairlj lighted and smoking freelj, 
place the wet tobacco over it. When the smoke begins to 
pour out in clouds shut the room up tight, and leave the 
bugs to their fate. In about an hour a good sprinkling of 
water may be given to remove the dead or dying insects, 
and when the dripping has ceased the plants may be re- 
turned to their places. Should the flies reappear, repeat the 
dose. Another troublesome pest is the mealy bug, or 
woolly aphis. It is a small, downy, white, sluggish creature 
that clings to the stems of the cape jasmine and other 
plants. The only way to rid the plants of this pest is to 
wash them with warm soap-suds, using an old tooth-brush 
to sweep them away. The red spider, an almost invisible, 
red-colored, and very troublesome insect, sometimes appears 
upon house plants. The vigorous use of the syringe and cold 
water will keep it away. If a plant becomes very badly 
affected by them, the best way is to throw it away at once. 
The white scale, that appears upon the ivy, must be treated 
as was his cousin, the mealy bug. 

Mildew and black rust sometimes attack window plants 
in the spring. The sulphur solution mentioned in Chapter 
III. will quickly cure both troubles. 



TURNING TO THE LIGHT 

must be resorted to from this time till spring. By this 



60 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



is meant turning the plant round occasionally, so that 
every side will have its share of the sunshine. If this is not 
done, the plant, in its endeavors to reach the sunlight, will 
become "drawn," or misshapen. It may perhaps produce as 
many flowers, but they are not alone sufficient. Handsome, 
well-shaped plants, properly balanced, and presenting 
beautiful forms as well as colors, are what we wish. Just 
how often to turn a plant, each one must learn for herself 
by experiment. 

POT-BOUND PLANTS. 

All plants growing in flower-pots eventually become 
pot-bound ; " that is, the roots fill the pot, twisting 
around the sides and ramifying through the soil till but 
little appears to be left, and the pot becomes full of roots 
instead. If the plant is turned out of the pot, and vigorously 
shaken, it will bevfound that one-half of the soil has been 
destroyed, eaten up, — and its place occupied by a tangled 
and knotty mass of roots. Having thus reached the limit 
of its supplies, it sends out its roots beyond their confined 
quarters in search of fresh food. They overflow the edge 
of the pot, or creep through the drainage hole in the bottom. 
If no more food can be found, — if the exploring and venture- 
some roots meet a cold and barren reception, — they stop and 
go no farther. The plant then seems in a blind and vague 
way to conclude that its end is near. It therefore follows 
the one great instinct of all life, — reproduction, — puts 
forth its flowers, perfects its seeds, and then dies. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



61 



The intelligent cultivator, knowing this, and desiring to 
have a plant bear flowers at any time, allows it to become 
pot-bound. The blooms appear, supply the grower's wants, 
and then the plant is suffered to perish, or is re-potted, 
planted out, or otherwise treated so that life is preserved 
for another season. 

The curious part of this is that the size of the pot makes 
no difference. A young plant that becomes pot-bound in 
a three-inch pot will certainly flower in that pot. If, on 
the other hand, it is not allowed to become pot-bound, but 
is supplied with fresh soil as fast as needed, it will not 
flower until it becomes mature through the lapse of time, 
and blooms naturally. 

From this we may make these rules : To cause a plant 
to bloom in advance of maturity, let it become pot-bound. 
To cause a plant to bloom in any particular pot, let it 
become pot-bound in it. When a plant approaches maturity 
through natural causes, by reaching its full growth, let it 
become pot-bound, as nothing will be gained by re-potting. 

The practical application of this to the plants now in 
hand is, that those young seedlings raised in the fall must 
be re-potted as soon as they begin to become pot-bound. 
Unless a partial crop, or a crop produced at any particular 
time is desired, keep re-potting, from one size to the 
next, until a seven-inch pot is reached ; then stop. In this 
size let them bloom, as it is a convenient and profitable one 
for them to occupy. 



62 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



It may occur to the reader that it would be as well to 
jump at once from the three to the seven inch pot, or even 
transfer the joung seedlings directly from the seed boxes 
to the large pot. It would not, most certainly. Why not, 
cannot be here explained in detail. The principal, and 
quite a sufficient, reason is, that long before the plant be- 
came pot-bound, or reached maturity, the soil would under- 
go chemical changes which would render it unfit for plant- 
food. This naturally leads to the subject of 

LIQUID MANURE, 

All plants growing in pots lead an artificial life. 
They must be assisted in every way, if success is de- 
sired. The roots, being confined to a limited space, cannot 
roam abroad, as in the garden, for new fields and fresh food. 
To enable them to bear heavy crops, and produce more than 
they naturally would, resort must be had to liquid manure. 
Solid manure might be given them ; but, as it must be first 
reduced to a liquid to be used by the plant, and is unsightly 
and disagreeable, liquid manure is to be preferred. 

GUANO ^ 

dissolved in water, makes the most convenient liquid fer- 
tilizer. Great care must be used in applying it, as it is 
very dangerous. An over-dose will either kill a plant, or 
cause it to drop its leaves. To mix it properly, stir into the 
water used a spoonful of guano. If this gives the water the 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEJT. 



63 



color of pale ale, it is enough. If not, keep adding and 
stirring till that light-brownish shade is reached. Apply 
this weak solution with the spout of the watering-pot in 
such a way as not to touch the leaves. Twice a week, 
during the sunny weather, will be enough for ail purposes. 

A safer and cheaper liquid can be obtained by draining 
water through stable manure. The black liquid that re- 
sults may be mixed with twenty times its bulk of clear 
water and used freely. 



64 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN, 



CHAPTER XI. 

rEBRUART. 

With the increasing light and heat from the sun, more 
attention must be given to the airing, watering, and show- 
ering of the plants in the window. Fresh air must be 
given upon sunnj days, and, as a natural result, more water 
will be needed. Opportunities for showering the plants 
will be more frequent, and should be improved. The 
growth of the plant will be more rapid, and flowers will be 
produced, and consequently greater care will be needed. 
Liquid manure will be demanded, and cleanliness required, 
if healthj plants and heavy crops are expected. Some of 
the plants will go out of flower, and new ones to take their 
place will be required. 

FORCING 

must be now tried upon the plants in the cellar. The 
geraniums, tea-roses, fuchsias, deutzias, and astilbes must be 
brought up, watered freely, and placed in the window. 
This process in detail is something like this: bring one or 
more of the plants from the cellar, wash and shower them 
heavily as they stand in the sink ; when the drip has 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



65 



ceased, thej must be examined carefully to see that no 
injury from mice, accident, or destructive insects has hap- 
pened to them. The tea-roses and geraniums must be cut 
back ; that is, one-half of the wood must be cut off, unless 
it was done in the fall. The deutzia must not be cut at 
all. The astilbe, having no visible top, needs no further 
attention. In placing these plants in the window thej 
need not be put in the full sun, or great heat. A partially 
shaded and cool place will answer for the first few weeks. 
Until the leaves come out, little or no water must be given ; 
enough to keep the soil from becoming dry will be suffi- 
cient. If it is desired to extend the season, but one plant 
need be brought up and forced at once. If it is desired to 
have white flowers on any particular day during the months 
of February, March, April, or May, plants of the deutzia 
or astilbe may be forced about six weeks before the re- 
quired date ; for instance, if flowers are wanted at Easter 
(March 17, or thereabouts), begin forcing February first. 

RE'POTTING AZAZIAS, 

oranges, lemons, camellias, and other hard-wooded plants, 
is generally done but once a year. The proper time to do 
this is immediately after the plant has bloomed. If it is 
young, give it a pot one size larger ; if old, and already as 
large as is convenient, cut and pare away a portion of the 
roots at the top and bottom, and put into a clean pot of the 
same size. After potting, prune the plant into a good 

5 



66 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



shape, by cutting off a few inches of the last year's growth ; 
give one good showering and return to the window. Till 
the new growth starts out, give but little water. When 
the young leaves expand, increase the supply of water. 
Liquid manure must not be given to plants recently forced 
or re-potted. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



67 



CHAPTER XII. 

MARCH. 

With this month we complete the year. Spring has 
returned, and the garden again demands our attention. 

ROTATION 

of crops is one of the great principles of agriculture. No 
less is it important in horticulture. The crops of our 
flower garden must be treated to the same rotation as is 
applied to our farm crops. The verbena, heliotrope, and 
rose must change their position each year, precisely as do 
the potato, squash, and turnip. How to accomplish this 
in our two little borders is not so very easy to decide. 
The best we can • do is to change the number and kinds of 
our bedding plants, and to set them out, as far as possible, 
in other places than those they occupied last year. 

A very much better way than this is not to rotate the 
crops, but the garden. If the entire garden is taken up 
and removed to another place, the desired end is attained. 
All of the plants have new and fresh soil, and all have had 
the benefit of rotation. 

To do this, cut out new borders of any desired size or 



68 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



shape, in some other part of the lawn, and with the turf 
re-sod the abandoned border. Those shrubs and hardy 
roses that are in the border can remain, and each have its 
own little border around it. The new border must be 
manured, and treated precisely as described in Chapter I. 
It is true, this rotation need not be done the second spring. 
For two years the first border will answer very fairly ; but 
beyond that it is almost useless. Even the hardy shrubs, 
roses, and herbaceous plants require moving every few 
years. The soil will surely become exhausted, even if 
manure is regularly supplied. There seem to be certain 
elements in the soil that only nature can supply. One or 
two crops will exhaust it. If a third crop is tried, failure 
results. Another crop of some other kind put into the 
ground will succeed easily. Still another will do as well, 
and on the following season after that, the first crop may be 
tried, and it will be found that the soil before exhausted 
has recovered, and is ready to be used again. 

If the garden was a large one, it would not require mov- 
ing. We could select a proper course of rotation from 
among our plants, and change them from place to place to 
suit their needs. Here we have many plants and a small 
garden. Manifestly, it is easier to rotate the garden than 
the plants. 

THE PLANT GARDEN. 

This is a term that the writer is obliged to invent, to 
describe a new idea recently carried out in our best com- 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GAULEX. 



69 



mercial gardens. In such places the only object is money. 
As flowers bring the money, they are all the cultivator 
seeks. To do this he uses, what, for want of a name, may 
be called a plant garden. This is a garden where flower- 
ing-plants are grown for the crop, without regard to ap- 
pearances. To those who have but a very small piece of 
ground, and have not the time to attend to decoration, such 
a garden might be useful. 

This garden consists of borders prepared in any suitable 
soil, having a good aspect, and sheltered from the north or 
west winds. The border should be three feet wide, and 
as long as may be needed. In these borders set out 
the plants in solid rows, from side to side, and as close to- 
gether as the plants will stand and not crowd each other. 
The after culture may be as simple and rough as is con- 
sistent with thoroughness. Beyond keeping the plants 
clean and in health, no particular pains need be taken. By 
planting the stock in this way, each plant is easy of access 
for pinching, pruning, or cutting. The expense of such a 
garden is much less, as the cultivator can easily see for 
herself 

HOUSE PLANTS IN THE SPRING. 

Through March and April the care of the house plants 
will continue to be very much as described in the previous 
chapters. With the return of warm weather the plants will 
be moved out of doors. With the exception of the smilax 
vines, no plant must remain in house through the summer. 



70 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



Each plant, or group of plants, requires a different treat- 
ment. Below are the plants and directions for their 
treatment. 

Tea-roses, ^ Jasmine, 

Heliotrope, Cape Jasmine, 

Geranium : — 

To be cut back slightly and planted in the garden. 

Carnations, Stocke, 
Murandia, Chinese Primrose, 

Mignonette, AUyssum : — 

To be thrown awaj as valueless. 

Azalia, Camellia, 
Orange, Ivy, 
Lemon : — 

To be kept in the pots, and placed on the north side of 
a fence or building where there is a partial shade. Under 
a tree will not do, as the drip during rain is injurious. Do 
not set them on the bare ground, but upon a bed of ashes, 
or a board. It will be plain that, during their stay out of 
doors, thej must be watered when they require it. This 
will not occur every day, as each rain will aid in the 
matter. 

Smilax. 

This may be cut down as soon as it goes to seed, or 
ceases to grow, and allowed to dry up. The plant, pot 
and all, may be put away on some dry shelf till wanted 
next season. 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEJT. 



71 



Bouvardia, Eupatorium. 

These must be cut quite down to the roots and then 
planted in the garden. 

Fuchsia. 

This may be* allowed to stay in the house longer than 
any other plant. In June, or even later, the plant still in 
its pot may be plunged in the soil in some shady place in 
the garden. 

THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTES, 

The year having been carried around, and those operations 
necessary to the care of house and garden culture briefly 
sketched, it is not important to repeat the directions for 
the approaching season. The reader can easily refer to the 
chapter on April, and learn therefrom what steps to take. 
In gardening, one year is, in the main, precisely like all 
others. Each operation, when once learned, need but be 
repeated, with such improvements as suggest themselves 
to the intelligent cultivator. 

THE EXPENSE 

of all the various materials and processes set forth in these 
notes can be easily estimated from the prices scattered 
through the work. To know the cost of any one thing, 
refer to that chapter where it is first used. The whole 
cost the reader can easily add up without assistance. The 



72 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GAKDEN. 



expense will not be great, even if every plant, tool, or 
process here mentioned is bought or carried out. If the 
grower does not care to do so much, any part may be 
selected, and the cost readily found. 

TO MAKE A BOUQUET. 

Having given directions for raising flowers, a few words 
upon their use may not be inappropriate. The simplest 
and best way to exhibit cut flowers to advantage in the 
house is to place them in shallow dishes, vases, or wine- 
glasses. Taste must be the guide in this matter. The 
making of crosses, wreaths, or other floral decorations, is 
an art in itself, and would require more pages than we can 
here give. 

The simplest way to put up flowers to carry is what is 
known as a hand-bouquet. A slender stick, about a foot 
long — some annealed iron wire, size No. 21, and a ball of 
linen twine, such as is used in the garden, are necessary if 
economy of flowers and ease of manipulation are considered. . 
Have the flowers prepared, by putting wire stems to those 
that have none, and the leaves stripped from those that 
have them. The leaves are of no consequence, and only 
crowd the bunch when made up ; besides, the flowers keep 
better. Having spread the flowers on a table, each kind by 
itself, and fastened one end of the twine to the tip of th-e 
stick, take it in the left hand, holding it by the finger and 
thumb to tighten the twine. First, select some light flower, 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



73 



and fasten it to the top of the stick, hj twisting the twine 
around it. Next add one small flower of another kind, just 
below the first ; then turn the stick half way round, and add 
another of the same kind. Then turn it quarter way round, 
and put in one of another kind or color ; turn half way 
round again, and repeat the flowers. Close under these 
flowers set a ring of green of some kind, — geranium leaves, 
smilax, etc. Here you can stop, as the bouquet is finished, 
as far as it goes. If a button-hole bouquet is wanted, it is 
at hand. To increase the size, add more flowers of another 
kind, having a longer stem. Repeat by turning half round, 
quarter round, and half round again. Then add a new kind 
between two of these, and repeat the turning as before. A 
ring of green must be tucked in close under these eight 
flowers, and another bouquet is done. To make it larger 
add more flowers, but do not let them project as far. Put 
in more green, and add more flowers with still longer stems. 
Keep on in this way, changing each circle so that a variety 
will be obtained. Symmetry of shape will take care of 
itself. If the directions for turning are followed, the 
bouquet will be round and well proportioned of itself 
without trouble. 

As can be easily imagined, there will be difficulties at- 
tending the first eiforts in making a bouquet. The best 
way is to take a quantity of cheap flowers in summer, and 
keep experimenting until the art is acquired. It is not an 
easy thing to make a bouquet, that shall be at once graceful. 



74 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN, 



natural, and symmetrica] ; jet, by the aid of these simple 
directions, no one need to hesitate in making the attempt. 
Try it, experiment, and practise upon it. With patience 
and perseverance, success will be eventually reached, and a 
really artistic bunch of flowers produced. 

THE ARRANGING OF COLORS 

is something each one must learn for herself by practice 
and study. No space now at command would begin to do 
justice to the subject. 

A GARDEN A SANITARY MEASURE. 

Here an end must be made to these few horticultural 
notes. Many things have been omitted. The wardian case 
has not been alluded to, nor ferns even suggested. A score of 
flowers that can be cultivated in the parlor, or the garden, 
have been passed without notice. The object has been to 
present simple and concise directions, for the care of a few 
of the more common flowers, and to show that, even with the 
expenditure of a very small sum of money, flowers can be 
had in abundance. To conclude, a few words upon the gar- 
den as a sanitary measure will be in order. 

The labor to be performed, as set forth in these notes, is 
by no means hard, nor is the needed attention wearisome. 
Any girl of fourteen, or boy of twelve, might undertake 
the whole affair, and would doubtless succeed, if possessed 
of an ordinary amount of pluck. Every young lady, who 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEiN-. 



75. 



bas the control of a piece of ground, be it ever so small, or, 
- lacking that, has but a window, should cultivate a few 
plants ; should go out under the open skj, and work in the 
ground with her own hands. 

What a monstrous idea ! " exclaims the fine ladj reader. 

" Young ladies work on the ground, — dig in the dirt! 
It is not to be thought of a moment." 

No doubt of it. Neither is health to be thought of 
beside the demands of fashionable and elegant society. It 
is not the thing to have ruddy cheeks and vigorous limbs. 
To be able to walk five miles over the open country, to row 
a boat across the pond, or swing a rake in a breezy, fragrant 
hay field, may be well enough for girls, but young ladies 
never do such things." 

At this we are utterly extinguished. We haven't 
another word to say. 

But this may fall into the hands of. some young men 
or women who are so fortunate as to care for flowers, and 
who are aware of the rich mine of pleasure, health, study, 
and amusement to be found in a flower garden. It may be, 
too, that they belong to that large class known as semi- 
invalids." For them we have a word. 

" Come into the garden, Maud," Jenny, Edward, and all 
the rest of you. Get out into the open air and unfashion- 
able sunshine. Shut your books and study nature ; leave 
your needle and take the trowel and rake. A hoe-handle 
is an excellent tonic, and the smell of the ground is an 



76 A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 

appetizer that will add an unknown pleasure to a good dinner. 
Plant-growing is a scientific pursuit,- warranted to sharpen 
- the keenest wits. Seed-planting and flower-gathering are 
innocent dissipations, without the usual headache, — pleas- 
ures that do not have to be paid for with pains, or tears. 
In short, a garden is a sanitary measure, pleasant in its 
operation, and delightful in its results. 



THE AUTHOR'S JPBEVIOUS WOJRKS, 



MY TEN-EOD FARM; or, How I Became a Elorist. Paper, 
50 cents. 

FARMING BY INCHES; or, With Brains, Sir. Paper, 50 cts. 

THE SOPRANO; A Musical Story. Paper, 75 cts. Cloth, $1. 

THE TONE MASTERS : 

Vol. I. — Mozart axd Mexdelssohn. Cloth, $1.25. 
Vol. II. — H.VXDEL AXD Haydx. (Iu preparation.) 
Vol. III. — Beethoven and Bach. (In preparation.) 



HilMiiiMfCita 

FROM INFANCY TO MARRIAGE. 



BS" MRS. WARRBN. 

Neat JPaper Covers. Price, 50 Cents. 

Mrs. Warren, an EngKsh lady of sterling sense, large observation and 
experience, is awakening a deep interest in the now almost "lost art" of man- 
aging a house well upon a small income. 

Her third book, 

" How I Managed My Children from Infancy to Marriage," 

a perfect little romance, and has great popularity in England, 

TWENTY THOUSAND COJPIJES 

having been sold already. 

In America this must prove her most successful book, as It is xmiversal io 
Its application, and the subject is one in which the deepest interest is felt. 

A noble Christian mother tells us how she successfully reared up eight children, 
carrying them through the perils of infancy, and the impulsiveness of childhood, 
directing and developing their physical, mental, and religious natures, and pre- 
pared them for useful and creditable positions in life. 

The joys, sorrows, and trials, which are the common lot of every loving house* 
hold, are feelingly told, and the benediction of "Well done, good and faithful 
mother," springs up in every reader's heart as the book is closed. 

These three volumes form a complete system of Home Economy. 



How I Managed My House 



BY MRS. WARREN. 



Neat Paper Covers. - - - Price, 50 Cents. 



An Englisti lady, of sterling sense, large obserration and experience, is the 
author of three little volumes which must prove a help and comfort to every 
■wearied housewife who encounters them, and afford most useful limits to aU whose 
life-work it is to make a happy home for loved ones. 

This fascinating little autobiography of married life has had an unparalleled 
enccess in England, 



having been sold in the short space of one year. It is as charming a story to 
read as its companion, 

"Our Farm of Four Acres, and the Money we made by it," 

and, like that, wiU be equally popular in America, although neither were written 
expressly for this meridian. £200, or $1,000, represents the income of a very 
large class in this country. 

The earnest wish of every young wife is to nave a house of her own, and 
a chance to show her husband how well she can keep it. The inability to get, 
or retain, good " help " often proves a serious drawback in the beginning. 

Mrs. "Warren's aim in this story is to impart, in a pleasing manner, a practical 
knowledge of the essential requisites for successful house-keeping with a moderate 
expenditure of money, and to advise and instruct the inexperienced young wife, 
eo that she, and not the servant, shall nde the house. 

Tlie sj irit of the book is universally needed just now. The writer is full of 
a frank good-humor and practical philosophy. She inspires one with courage, 
and teaches us to bui,ld up a success from '-rery failure, or, as she facetiously 
expresses it, *' To fall always on our feet. - 

If every young house-keeper will read this "Experience" thoughtfully, and 
embody in her daily life the spirit (not the letter) it teaches, she will find her 
burden lightened, her trials less, and her home made more joyous and attractive. 




THOUSJII COPIES 



Comfort for Small Incomes. 



BY MBS. WABBUJSr. 



Neat Paper Covers. Price, 50 Cents. 

Mrs. Warren's first book has met with a most cordial welcome in this 
country, and the spirit of the book is universally commended by every young 
house-keeper. 

Her second book, 

"COMFORT FOR SMALL INCOMES," 

is the result of some years' experience in those small matters which go to make- 
up great comforts. Profit by it, and many a perplexity will vanish, many an 
anxious heart grow calm, and many a home be bright with peace and plenty. Of 
all traits of character none goes farther or wins more than tact. This, the advice 
of these books, if followed, will develop. Of all attractive spheres none ia 
more so than that of government; and of the order, system, and managing 
faculty requisite for government, Mrs. Warren gives a thorough exposition. 

But few young married ladies have been thoroughly instructed in the " mysteries 
of cooking " and the ordering of a " house," however small ; so that at the outset 
great reliance has to be placed upon their " servants," who, knowing their power 
are naturaUy or wilfully ignorant and neglectful of the simplest duties of the 
positions they profess to fill. 

Neither party is satisfied; there are constant changes, with but little benefit; 

Great leakages make sad inroads into a limited income; 

there is constant worry, with the severest trials of temper, —all of which the vrifi 
Btrives to conceal from her husband. 

Experience and necessity right all. this in time, and little manuals like the* - 
furnish valuable hints which the quick-witted and ambitious young matron quicken 
seizes and adapts to her especial needs; the slavery to "servants'" thraldom 
thrown off; order comes out of chaos; sunshine, happiness, and prosperity com* 
out where the opposites seemed almost to have gained the mastery. Such is tb* 
lesson of this pleasant book. 



A SIMPLE FLOWEB GAEDEN 



FOR COUNTRY HOMES. 



jjrartiral ^mk for |:urr!| |^;ulg 



jiow TO jStart it. 

^HAT IT WILL pOST. 

j^OW TO ^TOCK IT TO HAVE 

j^LOWER^ THE JeAR jR.OUND. 



BY 



CHARLES BARNARD, 

Author of "My Ten Rod Farm," Farming by Inches," "The Soprano," etc. 



LORING, Publisher. 

BOSTON. 



Price, 25 Cents, 



Loriiig's Spring Publications. 



Marion Berkley, a stoey tor girls. By Laura 

Caxton. With Four characteristic Illustrations by the author. 

One I'imo. Tolume. Handsome cloth binding. Price, $1.50. 

" A bright, sparkling, and femininely racy tale of girl-life in a fashionable boarding- 
school. Marion is to the girls of her school what Tom Brown was among the boys of Rugby, 
daring, brilliant, prone to get into scrapes and out of them, and withal a dashing, livirg 
girl. The story is told with freshness, and has a sparkling -vivacity, which does not, how- 
ever, exclude pathos and the romance which is especially dear to school girls. It is hand- 
somely illustrated by the author, and published in elegant style." — Soston I*ost. 



Howard Paul's Jokes, which win make you laugh. 

One large Quarto volume, 32 pages, with 48 Illustrations. Price, 25 cents. 

A choice collection of funniments every one will be amused with. As a car book it will 
have a great sale. 



Ben, The Luggage Boy. '^^^ ¥uih volume of the 

succesf^ful " KMiiged Dick" Books. By Houatio Algek, Jr. 

ALGER has thrown a halo around these '-Street Professionals" of New York City. 
Their lives, adventures, and ultimate good fortunes, have enlisted the sympathies of thou- 
sands of readers. Who is there that does not personally know "The Boot-black, Dick," 
"The Match-boy, Murk." ''The News-boy, Rough and Ready," and soon will, "The 
Luggage-boy, l!en." or. as the New Yorkers called him, "The Baggage Smasher," the name 
given to tho.se boys who hang around steamboat landings and railroad depots, getting their 
precarious living by carrying valises and parcels for travellers. 

Young and old are alike bewitched by the.-e Looks. 

The five volun-.es are put up in a tasteful box and .sold together, or singly for $1.25 
jyv.r volume. 



LOKING's NKW BOOlvS. 



Tales of European Life. 

12mo, Paper. Price, 50 Cents. 

"An entertaining Tolume of stories, written in a pure, elevated stjle. and painting 
witti fidelity and vividness scenes from Italian life. Of these stories, "St. Cecelia" is the 
best, and "Salvo and Cesare" is the most finished. It is a genial, pleasant hook, serene 
as the Italian skies it tells of, and will meet with a warm welcome from all whom the mys- 
terious beauty of Southern Europe has fascinated with its charm of moonlight and fountains 
and classic memories of far-off times, and in these days of the half-Bohemian artist life, 
which is inseparable from our conception of life in those Italian cities. 

The simplicity of these stories, their easy diction, the pure, genial, social atmosphere 
which pervades them, and, above all, the happy choice of subjects, make the volume valu- 
able and instructive, and, to people of discrimination and culture, a most acceptable gift, 
sure to be appreciated." — e. m. 

W. W. STORY'S POEM, 

A Roman Lawyer in JerusaBem. fikst Century. 

A DEFENCE OF JUDAS ISCARIOT. 

Tinted Paper. Price, 15 cts. 

••The argument is very interesting ; but, on the whole, we have lost so many rascals 
lately, by the re-writing of history, that we are inclined to hold on to Judas." j 

— Hartford Courant. \ 

Sorrehto Wood Carving, what it is. How to Do it. 

With an Illustration. Tiiited Paper. Price, 25 cents. 
" A capital amusement and pastime for a confirmed invalid, or any person of leisure." 

The Story of Mrs. Shalcspeare's Life. 

A Burlesque of "Lady Byron's." Price, 10 cts. 

Rational Temperance. By henry g. Spaulding. 

Price, 10 cents. 

Farming as a Profession. How Charles Loring made 
it Pay. By Dr. T. A. Bland. Price, 30 cts. 

My Ten Rod Farm ; Or, How I became a Florist. 

Price, 50 cents. 



Farming by Inches, and the Money there is in Garden 
Farming. Price, 50 cts. 



LORINGS NEW BOOKS. 



The Soprano. A Musical Story. 

By JANE KINGSFORD. Paper, 75 Cts. Cloch, $1. 

The musical growth of a young girl, from the church choir in the country to the 
leading position in oratorios and concerts in our large cities, is traced with great care, 
and the steps she took carefully explained. Every young lady will find it of great service. 



Hitherto. A Story of Yesterdays. 

By the author of " Faith Gartney's Girlhood, " The Gay worthys," "Patience Strong's 
Outings." 

One handsome volume. Price, $2. 

Violetta and I. cousin Kate. Edited by Miss 

Maria J. McIntosh. Neat paper volume. 



Robert Falconer. George MacDonald. Umforni 

with "David Elginbrod." One volume, 12mo, cloth. 



A Simple Flower Garden for every Country 

Home. What it will Cost. How to Manage it so as to 
have Flowers the year round. 

By CHARLES BARNARD, author of My Ten Rod Farm," " Farming by 
Inches," "The Soprano," etc. 



$5,000 A Year, and How I Made it in Five 
Years' time, starting Without Capital. 

By EDWARD MITCHELL. A True Story of a Vegetable Gardener. 



A NEW NOVEL EROM FLORENCE MARRY AT. 

MOODS. LOUISA M. ALCOTT'S FIRST BOOK. 

A new edition, elegantly illustrated; nniform with "Little Women," and ' The Old- 
Fashioned Girl." We want erery one who has read Miss Alcott's " Little 
Women," and the "Old Fashioned Girl," to read her first norel. One chapter 
alone— the "Golden Wedding" at the Farm IIouse--is worth the price of the 
book. With the author this is her favorite book. 

OIL 



1 



